The happiness and suffering of all humans and all other species is our own happiness and suffering. We inter-are.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Happiness and Suffering

Topic: The Natural World

When we are in harmony with each other, we are also in harmony with the land. We see our close relationship with every person and every species. The happiness and suffering of all humans and all other species is our own happiness and suffering. We inter-are. As practitioners, we see that we are part of and not separate from the soil, the forests, the rivers, and the sky. We share the same destiny.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Early Life and Education: Thich Nhat Hanh was born on October 11, 1926, in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, Vietnam. At the age of 16, he entered the monastery at nearby Từ Hiếu Temple, where he was ordained as a monk. He then went on to study both Vietnamese traditions of Buddhism and Western philosophy at the Báo Quốc Buddhist Academy and the University of Saigon. His synthesis of Eastern and Western thought led him to develop a unique approach to mindfulness and Zen practice, which he shared with people from different walks of life.

Activism and Teachings: During the Vietnam War, Thich Nhat Hanh was a strong advocate for peace and reconciliation. He founded the School of Youth for Social Service, training young activists in Buddhist principles and nonviolent resistance. His efforts to end the violence and his calls for peace drew international attention. Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Thich Nhat Hanh authored numerous books, teaching mindfulness and compassion, and founded the Plum Village Tradition, a network of monasteries and practice centers around the world.

Later Life and Legacy: In his later years, Thich Nhat Hanh continued to travel, write, and teach, spreading the message of mindfulness and love. He suffered a severe stroke in 2014 that limited his ability to communicate but remained an inspiring figure. After spending some years in France at Plum Village, he returned to Vietnam in 2018 to spend his remaining years at his root temple, Từ Hiếu. Thich Nhat Hanh passed away on January 22, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of profound teachings that continue to inspire individuals and communities across the globe to live with understanding, compassion, and interconnectedness. His life's work serves as a beacon for those seeking a path of peace and love in the world.

(1926-2022) Buddhism
The World We Have

Hạnh, Thich Nhất. The World We Have: a Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology. RHYW, 2008 [Thich Nhat Hanh, The World We Have: A Buddhist Approach to Peace and Ecology] p. 71.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Theme: Natural World

About This Thích Nhất Hạnh Quotation [Commentary]

Thích Nhất Hạnh, a respected voice in mindfulness and engaged Buddhism, teaches a vital lesson on interconnectedness. His assertion, “The happiness and suffering of all humans and all other species is our own happiness and suffering. We inter-are,” conveys the fundamental interconnected nature of existence. This idea is practical, rooted in the belief that our well-being is inseparable from that of the natural world. Thich Nhat Hanh argues that our actions impact all life forms, emphasizing that our welfare is directly linked to the health of our environment.

In the provided context, Thích Nhất Hạnh links human harmony with ecological balance, highlighting the concept of “inter-being.” This approach suggests that personal and environmental health are interconnected, advocating for compassionate and sustainable living practices. By acknowledging our shared destinies with the natural elements, he calls for a reflection on our environmental impact, promoting a shift towards more responsible behaviors.

Thích Nhất Hạnh’s perspective on interconnectedness can inform our approach to ecological issues. He suggests that harm to the environment ultimately affects all species, including humans. Recognizing our “inter-being” with the Earth can inspire a deeper respect for all forms of life and motivate actions that help heal the planet. In adopting this holistic view, we aim not just to alleviate our own distress but to address the broader ecological challenges that confront us.

Rick Hanson on Thích Nhất Hạnh’s Quotation

Rick Hanson, in Neurodharma, reflects on the profound teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, emphasizing the deep interconnectedness that binds all beings and phenomena. Hanson resonates with Thich Nhat Hanh’s understanding that everything in the universe is intricately linked, recognizing that this awareness is vital to our well-being. As Hanson insightfully notes, “When you really sense your relatedness to everything, compassion and kindness naturally flow from that.” This recognition is not merely a philosophical concept but a lived experience that can reshape our understanding of self. By perceiving ourselves as integral parts of a larger whole, our actions and intentions naturally align with the well-being of all, cultivating a deeper sense of compassion, responsibility, and peace. Realizing our “inter-being” with all life forms and the environment is essential to attaining true happiness and reducing suffering, as it nurtures a deep sense of belonging and purpose in our shared journey.

“There is no phenomenon in the universe that does not intimately concern us, from a pebble resting at the bottom of the ocean to the movement of a galaxy millions of light-years away. All phenomena are interdependent. When we are in harmony with each other, we are also in harmony with the land. We see our close relationship with every person and every species. The happiness and suffering of all humans and all other species is our own happiness and suffering. We inter-are. As practitioners we see that we are part of and not separate from the soil, the forests, the rivers, and the sky. We share the same destiny.”

—Thích Nhất Hạnh [Rick Hanson, Opening into Allness, Neurodharma 2019 – Quotes (rickhanson.net)].

The Sun My Heart, Thích Nhất Hạnh

“There is no phenomenon in the universe that does not intimately concern us, from a pebble resting at the bottom of the ocean, to the movement of a galaxy millions of light-years away. Walt Whitman said, “I believe a blade of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars…” These words are not philosophy. They come from the depths of his soul. He also said, “I am large, I contain multitudes.” This might be called a meditation on “interfacing endlessly interwoven.” All phenomena are interdependent. When we think of a speck of dust, a flower, or a human being, our thinking cannot break loose from the idea of unity, of one, of calculation. We see a line drawn between one and many, one and not one. But if we truly realize the interdependent nature of the dust, the flower, and the human being, we see that unity cannot exist without diversity. Unity and diversity interpenetrate each other freely. Unity is diversity, and diversity is unity. This is the principle of interbeing.”

—Thích Nhất Hạnh [The Sun My Heart (1996) “The Sun My Heart” in Engaged Buddhist Reader (1996) edited by Arnold Kotler] p. 162.

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”

—Thích Nhất Hạnh [Plum Village Website].

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”

—John Muir [Rick Hanson, Opening into Allness, Neurodharma 2019 – Quotes (rickhanson.net)].

Quotes About Thích Nhất Hạnh

[Thích Nhất Hạnh] shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth.

—Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama [“Anger, in Wisdom For Cooling the Flames”].

Thích Nhất Hạnh offers a way out of this nightmare, a solution acceptable to rational leaders. He has traveled the world, counseling statesmen, religious leaders, scholars and writers, and enlisting their support. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity.

—Martin Luther King [Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter of nomination of Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize (25 January 1967)].

*Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh was a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his pioneering teachings on mindfulness, global ethics, and peace.

Happiness and Suffering

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